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Open Poetry #29
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Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

0 posted 2003-11-05 10:42 PM


War denies me rest, for fitfully I toss
on feathered down.  Dredging from
a past, he who gave us life through
a portrait...One of black, of white, of
crimson flowing the waters red.

One of stark reality, of somber lies
upon the sands of Africa, the cliffs
of Normandy, the killing fields of
countless places....countless faces
wearing death’s mask...  Yet, he
whispered softly, gallantly,  
humbly....in reverence to those
behind the mask of slaughtered
many.  

A mere and mortal man, known
so vividly well.   Standing beside
those brave souls, sons of freedom,
fighting their hearts will...asking
for naught...but sleep.

Those images gave me tears, times
of sorrow,  moments of joy and
brief but remembered jubilation...
And more...seeing the suffering
eyes of children, drenched in the
spill of their own veins, caked in
a week’s earth....asking for a mere
chocolate bar, a hug, a kind
thought....a moment of silent
sleep where dreams pushed
away the dark of evil, bringing
the liberty of warming light.

I shall never forget, nor deny what
you have bestowed upon us.  For
war is so stark, humbling....I hope
I never stop seeing what you saw..
And gave unselfishly to us all..

(In tribute of Ernie Pyle, WWII
Photographer, Journalist)  
killed April 1945 doing what
his heart desired most....



© Copyright 2003 Barry J. Tackett - All Rights Reserved
Magicmystery
Senior Member
since 2002-02-13
Posts 821
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
1 posted 2003-11-06 02:35 AM


This was a true hero and I thank you for shedding some light on the life's work of a man that I had never heard of before tonight's read.  This was a truly kind and fitting memorial to a man who documented the lives (and deaths) of those who fought for freedom against such total injustices. I am not old enough to remember WWII personally but I do remember Vietnam and the hell that was brought back in technicolour (even though it was broadcast in black and white) to our evening news.  

This was a stirring write... and just in time for Rememberance Day (or whatever you call it in the USA)

Sherry


GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
2 posted 2003-11-06 04:25 AM


Thank you, for helping us remember with reality and compassion...
I just wish it didn't have to be true...

Always, Alyssa


- And so it was that time stood still -
     (blink, breathe, stand, fight)

[This message has been edited by GG (11-06-2003 04:26 AM).]

EvocativeVerse2
Senior Member
since 2003-09-10
Posts 1279

3 posted 2003-11-06 09:20 AM


This is very powerful and well written Barry. I'd say more...but you have choked me up this morning. I usually don't get touched this deeply by a piece...the fact it did...says more then my words ever will.

Remember, if you're not part of the future, you're history!

Ericc
Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178

4 posted 2003-11-06 09:37 AM


Extremely powerful and thoughtful wrting.

Thanks,
Eric

ranidae_poet
Member
since 2003-11-05
Posts 66
Texas,USA
5 posted 2003-11-06 09:51 AM


As any good poem...you have left me speechless..

  What a beautifully tribute you have written.........any words I may type here would be an injustice to your work.  So ..with that I go.

Pilgrimage
Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945
Texas, USA
6 posted 2003-11-06 10:16 AM


You made me tear up at this one. It's okay-it deserves a tear of two, and a memory.

Nan (Pilgrim variety)

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
7 posted 2003-11-06 10:21 AM


Barry,
You set me in a field of crosses and left me there.

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
8 posted 2003-11-06 10:30 AM


enjoyed
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
9 posted 2003-11-06 10:41 AM


Thank you Barry, for honoring someone
who told it like it happened.

teenpoet
Member
since 2001-10-17
Posts 280
Michigan
10 posted 2003-11-06 12:14 PM


It...this...truly......truly this is....is...I don't have words...They've left me and I'm just on an empty shore trying to grasp them to relay to you what a touching peice this is...it truly is.  And now I want to cry 'cause when anyone mentions this sort of stuff to with war I think of Jesse, my marine, out there.  And I'm so worried and scared for him......

But you truly were quite eloquent in this tribute.

I only know myself...and even that I don't know well.

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
11 posted 2003-11-06 12:20 PM


Well done, Barry...

"if you won't let me fall for you
then you won't see the best that I would love to do for you"
~Dido~

Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
12 posted 2003-11-06 07:50 PM


thank you, each of you....Ernie Pyle was
always an intriguing character to me..

visit this URL for more,  if you wish....
http://www.indianahistory.org/heritage/pyle.html

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
13 posted 2003-11-07 02:40 PM


What a wonderful tribute... and reminder of debts owed. *S* Well done, my friend. *S*
James_A_Fraser
Senior Member
since 2003-09-03
Posts 972
Out Making Anticlines
14 posted 2003-11-12 05:59 PM


Hard to beat this....and it almost got away in the pandemonium. Thank you for it.



~~J

Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
15 posted 2003-11-12 06:24 PM


Very well done, you should submit this work, Magnus.


Corinne

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